"Lawyer" trys to Ban "Bully" in Florida

well... it seems a lawyer by the name of Jack Thompson, obviously bored with his life and trying to seem important has decided to "try"(as many people do) to ban a video game that goes by the name of "Bully". Jack's argument was that the game would create something he called a "Public Nuisance", saying that this game's realease would lead to violence in school's. Jack stated that this game held more violence then what we see on Television a night.

The judge asked that a copy of the game and a representative from Rockstar be there to play the game to see if any of this was true. After watching the game in action the judge ruled that the game had "Less violence than we see on television every night." The judge declared the game not being a "nuisance" but allowed that Jack could have another hearing after the game was released. Jack, who failed miserably at his poor attempt dropped the matter.

The game has No blood, the character is not bullying but is being bullied, The "Cricket Bat" breaks after a few swings, no violence or prostitution, basically its nothing like GTA, which the game was thought to be somewhere similar to, seeing as how it is created by Rockstar.

Fine for Selling "Violent" Video Games

"The legal tango between the gaming industry and the government has taken a step in the government's direction. Washington State's senate passed a bill Thursday that would institute a fine of up to $500 to retail employees who sell violent video games to anyone under the age of 17. "I partially agree with this.

Basically imagine... you have a 6 year old kid. 6 These days... kids can be extremely smart depending, Playing Grand Theft Auto (The Game this law focuses on most). Kids are like sponges, they absorb all information that appeals to them. They may grow up in life thinking its "OK" to kill random people (Which I think is ok, no I grew up playing SNES Mario, batman, ninja turtles >> SEGA SATURN mega man.. etc >> PS1 Rugrats , Final Fantasy 7-9, as a kid with Grand Theft auto later on, probably ages 14- now... GTA isn’t even that fun, but that’s just me) or Prostitution is "OK", or selling Drugs is "OK" and then after all that... they become what’s known as an "The American of Today" In my Opinion.I see a problem with enforcing this law. Unless you station a police officer at every video game store in the country, how are you going to catch the store owners selling the games to kids? The Age limit should be a little less then 17 though. I can see a problem with 8 year olds playing GTA but not a 14-16 yr old. Well there is also the fact of a parent walking in on there child playing grand theft auto where the kid is trying to get some health so he is engaging in sexual activities in his car ( the car basically only bounces, Its quite hilarious ), and the mother goes "O-M-G, Ouroboros Man God what are you playing" and can be one of two parents which either a) physically abuse there children or b) Calmly tell them to stop playing the game and ask which store they bought it. Notify "Government officials" and then the store can get it's $500 fine, Well that is one way.

The ISDA is planning on a lawsuit to overturn the bill that may have a chance at sucess because the law only states games that depict violence against public officials: cops etc. and doesn’t allow use of the rating system. This is also not allowing parents to raise there children in the way they want to. Parents should decide what kind of games they want there children to play. But I am happy to be 17+ ^^ because this law doesn’t apply to me.

Greek Government Ban All Video Games.

"The Greek government has banned all electronic games across the country, including those that run on home computers, on GameBoy-style portable consoles, and on mobile phones. Thousands of tourists in Greece are unknowingly facing heavy fines or long terms in prison for owning mobile phones or portable video games. "

It seems to me the greek government is asking to be "Overthrown". Im going to guess that Greek is going to have less then half the population it has now. If were lucky, they're will be riots, fighting with officers, some deaths, and then I believe the Greek Government will see the mistake its making now. Even Internet-Cafe's cant have video games played, If a game is played, the Cafe will be fined and closed down. Well see'ing as how Internet-Cafe's make most of its money by allowing people to play video games, They will probably have to close down anyway.

Supposedly the Greek Government is banning video games in order to prevent "Illegal Gambling" and you can be even fined for playing a game such as internet chess, and the games that come in the accessories when installing Windows on your computer. The Fines are anywhere between $5,000 and $75,000 dollars. That seems a bit much. Imagine... getting a $7,000 fine for playing Minesweeper or Pinball. That seems kind of stupid. Maybe making it kinda obvious that the Greek Government is basically robbing you of your money. They are even giving Fine's to visitors from other countries. If you have a gameboy and you enter Greece your basically going to jail or giving up all your savings.

People are already petitioning and going to court for this. If they are unsuccesful in Greece, This matter will be brought up to the European Court.

And if all else fails... What are weapons for if you cant use em to get what you want?

http://news.com.com/2100-1040-956357.html

Sentor Sam Brownback trying to Ban Suppossed "Deceptive" Ratings

"A U.S. Senate Republican with presidential ambitions has renewed his push to slap new regulations on the video and computer game industry, including a ban on "deceptive" labels by ratings outfits"

... one word... "LOL". Please stop trying to act like your smart and doing something important for the world. This country is at war and your focused on video game ratings. First of all the ratings are already Over-exaggerated. Most games are already T for teen, and thats only if your shooting alien bunnies with a heart shooting ray gun. M for Mature for anything else. He says that the people who rate the games dont play them. Wow that just sounds kind of stupid. Thats like me saying your just bored with your life and want to attack the video game industry in hopes of becoming a future president... O wait that might be true.

"The proposed regulations represent another reaction to a high-profile scandal surrounding the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. In July 2005, reports surfaced that a readily downloadable modification could unlock sexually explicit scenes in the best-selling game, prompting bipartisan outcry from Capitol Hill and a federal investigation."

You have got to be kidding me. Grand Theft Auto is a M for mature game (Age 17+). The rating is there. Do you want a new rating? O for OLD? Ages 50+. ESRB even offered to change the rating on Grand Theft Auto to A-0 (Adults-Only). Well usually your considered to be an adult somewhere around the ages of 18-21 Mature rating seems to be 17+. I don't see much of a big difference there. But it seems The Federal Trade Commission made a settlement with the ESRB, where the ESRB must pay them 11,000 for each time they violate the deal in which ESRB must "clearly and prominently disclose on product packaging and in any promotion or advertisement...content relevant to the rating."

http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6159413.html

Germany asks E.U. to set more rules on "Violent" Video Games.

"Violent video games could be outlawed across the European Union" says the article. "Funny" says I. I believe it impossible to ban Violent Games. Unfortunatly for the Government and whoever elses wants to try, People love killing things.... We can't do it in life... unless you join the army of course, but Video Games allow you to do this freely. Basically... People love Violent Games. "You" , if your reading this and are disagreeing even the slightest, may not... but the "WORLD" does. Almost every game in existence has a small amount of violence in it...except games such as Sesame Street... Who plays Sesame Street? NO ONE! Even Sponge bob has violence in it... Jumping on peoples heads? Evil Villains?. But guess what? People Love it.

Ok... Supposedly Germany is so interested in Violent Games, because a 18 year old named "Sebastian Sobbe" shot up his school and injured 37 people and then killed himself. He also supposedly played a lot of Counter-Strike. But why blame the video game? Is it Counter-Strike's fault his parents didnt give him depression medication? NO! A large amount of the world plays video games. Do all of them shoot and kill people? no... just a few people who were probably crazy before playing video games.. killed people. But it seems the Governments need something to blame as usual.


http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/01/17/euvidgames/index.php